CYCLONE PERCY - PUKAPUKA AFTERMATH
These pictures are from a report by Television New Zealand's One News.  They show the aftermath of the cyclone and the determination of the residents of Pukapuka to rebuild, no matter how long it takes them.  They are published here exclusively with kind permission of TVNZ.  And three years on from the cyclone, the repair work is still continuing.  
Where the taro used to be
island well
Water supplies were a major problem after the cyclone.  Wells were contaminated and down spouts used for collecting rain were destroyed.   Fresh water was flown in and a desalination plant was given to the island by the Government of French Polynesia. 
The taro crop - an important part of the economy - was contaminated by sea water and could take years to recover
The local school was all but destroyed in the cyclone and the area around it contaminated by asbestos
School
Advice from the Red Cross
Julianne Westrupp was  among a Red Cross team who co-ordinated international efforts to help the islanders
At one stage it was suggested women and children should be evacuated until rebuilding was complete...but Pukapukans are made of stern stuff, and were determined to stay and work their way through the hardships
Islander 2
The link to the outside world
Radio hut
This tiny hut houses the short wave radio which was the only permanent link with the outside world
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Work underway
Machinery and equipment had to be brought in by boat to help the rebuilding efforts
Islanders meeting
Islanders meet to discuss "what next?"
 
FIVE WEEKS OF FURY
The story of the 2005 cyclones
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